Cameroon: need to get the midfield balance right

June 9, 2014

With Cameroon, off-field issues are of greater concern than tactical factors.

They always have some kind of problem in terms of organisation, and it was no great great surprise when a row about bonuses threatened to take over again. There have also been problems between Samuel Eto’o and Alex Song, Cameroon’s star players, in the past.

Following an extremely unconvincing qualification campaign, where Cameroon suffered from infighting, had three different coaches and only escaped elimination because Togo were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player, it was difficult to see any hope for them at this World Cup. A recent 2-2 draw with Germany suggests all is not lost, however.

Coach Volker Finke was once renowned as an attack-minded coach, but with Cameroon has found himself lacking in the creative midfield department, and therefore has tried to make his side organised, compact and disciplined, and depended upon quick attacking down the flanks. The major question is how he structures his midfield trio, to get the balance between defensive solidity and attacking potential.

The key player in this zone is Alexander Song, who has experienced a couple of poor seasons at Barcelona but is nevertheless capable of fine midfield performances. The problem, however, is that these days no-one’s entirely sure what of Song’s best position or role. At Arsenal he was initially a pure holding midfielder, then became part of a double pivot with license to move forward, and then ended up providing an amazing number of clever, lofted through-balls for Arsenal’s attackers. At Barcelona he was recruited because of his technical quality, but plays a limited role.

Possible Cameroon XI

It’s arguable that Song has been a victim of the same problem John Obi Mikel and Yaya Toure suffered from. At club level they’re seen as defensive-minded tacklers (Toure in his Barcelona guise), but at international level they’re charged with bringing more creativity to the table. In the warm-up against Germany, Song started as the deepest of the three midfielders, but then increasingly moved forward, both to press and to help attack, with Eyong Enoh covering for him. Those two are guaranteed to start, but there’s still a question about their position, and it’s not impossible Finke could even tilt the midfield triangle and play them as a double pivot, although there’s no obvious contender to play at the top of the triangle.

The final midfield slot is up for grabs. Stephane Mbia is an option, but is another hard worker and a physical presence who doesn’t offer much ability on the ball. Jean Makoun seems the best choice on paper but has barely been used, with the energetic Landry N’Guemo more likely to get playing time. It’s even arguably Song should start at the top of the midfield trio, although at least he’s given freedom to move forward from his deep position.

Defence

Cameroon’s area of strength is at centre-back, where the combination of Aurelian Chedjou and Nicolas N’Koulou seemed settled until they were torn apart in a 5-1 thrashing against Portugal in Match, so Schalke’s Joel Matip has been used in place of Chedjou, who has also been suffering from injury. Again, however, Matip would be another decent midfield option – he’s equally happy playing there – so this arguably weakens the side as a whole.

The full-backs attack well. Allan Nyom brings the ball forward purposefully, while left-sided Henri Bedemo is better at making off-the-ball runs before crossing.

Forwards

Samuel Eto’o has often played a deep role for his national side, but in this 4-3-3 he plays upfront as the central striker, and no longer feels the need to drop back and help create chances, partly because he doesn’t have the mobility these days. Still quick over short distances and a lethal finisher, he remains a top-class striker.

On the flanks, Cameroon are likely to field two pacey wingers who cut inside and shoot. Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting has scored twice in warm-up games to confirm his place in the side, although he doesn’t always appear the best team player. On the opposite side, Vincent Aboubakar had a great season with Lorient, is another good dribbler and can also dart into the box to become a second striker too.

Individually, the three forwards are all excellent. But, on and off the pitch, it’s all about how Cameroon work as a group.

5 Responses to “ Cameroon: need to get the midfield balance right ”

Kane Prior on June 10, 2014 at 12:05 am

I expect Cameroon to come bottom in this group, they lack any sort of cohesion and arguably shouldn’t have even qualified. They will be relying on Croatia and Mexico to underpeform, as they surely don’t stand a chance against either team at full strength. They could surprise against Brazil in the last game, with Brazil probably already qualified and Cameroon better when put on the back foot and allowed space to run into. But both Croatia and Mexico have the beating of this side.

Shaun on June 10, 2014 at 9:45 pm

“Cameroon’s area of strength is at centre-back, where the combination of Aurelian Chedjou and Nicolas N’Koulou seemed settled until they were torn apart in a 5-1 thrashing against Portugal in Match (…)”

Thing is that Nkoulou wasn’t on the field when Portugal scored 4 of those 5 goals. I believe it was Chedjou + Kana Biyik at the back.

Shaun on June 10, 2014 at 9:49 pm

Vastly underrated side. In terms of player strength Cameroon is by far the second strongest team in the group. Finke is a very underrated tactician and whoever saw Cameroon vs Tunisia (both legs) and the Germany game would never think of saying: “They will be relying on Croatia and Mexico to underpeform, as they surely don’t stand a chance against either team at full strength.” Cameroon has the firepower, tactical prowess and players to dominate both teams, even if they are at their best.

Even vs Portugal: The team fell apart when when Aboubakar and Nkoulou were subbed out. Eto’o also didn’t play that game. Up until that point the defence was coping relatively easily.

Kane Prior on June 11, 2014 at 6:38 am

They have some talented player but they don’t play well together as a group though, thats my problem with the team. They don’t seem to pull together in the same direction which I think the Croatian and Mexican team do seem to be doing. They can look like a broken team and I would be heavily surprised if they finished second.

Mati on June 11, 2014 at 8:42 am

I saw both games vs Tunisia and would disagree that Cameroon is an underrated team. Tunisia is not the calibre of team to judge Cameroon on, as they had their own on/off-field problems, the Tunisians still managed to lose the tie in the home game with all the wasted chances and Itandje’s superb goalkeeping.

The midfield trio lack creativity, and Eto’o can become tactically undisciplined (see Tunisia game) when things aren’t going his way.

Sitting deep and counter-attacking is their best option against a physically light Croatian midfield and a dynamic Mexico who’s play is focused on the wings.